Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to complete a sensational move to Chelsea this summer. The Blues were recently sounded out over a possible move for the Manchester United icon, football.london understands, but Thomas Tuchel will have the final say on any transfer.
Ronaldo is said to be keen on leaving Old Trafford this summer after United failed to qualify for Champions League football last season. However, newly-appointed United boss Erik ten Hag recently made his stance perfectly clear on the 37-year-old forward.
Ten Hag said: "He hasn't told me this [that he wants to leave]. I have read, but as I say, Cristiano is not for sale, he's in our plans, and we want to have success together.
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"I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him and a really good talk. We are planning with Ronaldo for this season – that's it. I'm looking forward to working with him."
It's understood, however, that Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes, who recently met with Chelsea co-owner and interim sporting director Todd Boehly, has offered his client to the west Londoners. Chelsea head coach Tuchel, though, is expected to have the final say before giving the green light for the club to go out and pursue Ronaldo.
Sagna, when speaking about Ronaldo moving on from Manchester United over the coming weeks, thinks the Portugal international would be a good fit at Chelsea. The former Arsenal right-back also spoke about how United are not in the place Ronaldo wants them to be at this point in his career.
"Well, we never know what is happening. There are so many stories," Sagna said to Lord Ping. "What we do know is that he is one of, if not the best strikers in the world, and he has been for years.
"Him and [Lionel] Messi have been something incredibly special, and when I hear people criticise them, it makes me laugh. It is a complete lack of respect because they have been running the show for years. Am I surprised? No, but only he knows if this is a real story.
"If it is true, I wouldn't be surprised because he will want to compete at the highest level, and I'm not sure what he has experienced at Manchester United is what he wants at this stage in his career. He is a football lover, and he is a winner.
"I'm sure he would have been disappointed with the season that Manchester United had because United is a club that belongs at the top, and they were not at the top. Ronaldo loves football before anything.
"If the project is good and he has a good connection with the manager, then why wouldn't he want to go to Chelsea. All he wants to do is play football. It has nothing to do with money - he doesn't need the money!
"When I watch him, he has the enthusiasm of a kid, and he just wants to compete at the highest level. At his age, you have to respect that. He is an icon, and he has changed the sport because of how he trains and how he lives his life off the pitch. Hopefully, we will see him competing with a top club next season because he deserves it."
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